A Member of Parliament: Excessive Foreign Policy Costs Could Ground Us in Tehran

A member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly states that Iran's foreign policy has "many excessive costs" that could "ground us in the streets of Tehran." Jalil Rahimi Jahangirabadi, representative of Torbat Jam, said in his pre-speech address on Sunday, January 6, that "excessive and non-priority costs must be eliminated," citing the former Soviet Union as an example of a country that, despite having nuclear warheads and influence in other countries, collapsed. According to ISNA news agency, he stated: "Although our influence and presence in the region is important, one should not forget that sometimes our excessive costs may ground us in the streets of Tehran." This member of the legal commission added: "When the Soviet Union collapsed, it had 13,000 nuclear warheads, foreign influence in over 20 countries, and a space station, but it was torn apart in the streets of Moscow and lost its security and territorial integrity." The suppression of civil liberties, extensive spending on an arms race with the U.S. amid widespread poverty and economic problems are among the reasons cited for the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. In recent years, Iran has faced widespread protests over economic conditions from various segments of the population, and after the U.S. withdrew from the JCPOA in May of this year and sanctions were reimposed, the prices of essential goods have risen, foreign currency rates have skyrocketed, and many foreign companies have exited the Iranian market. On the other hand, Iran ranks low in many global indices. Widespread financial corruption is one of these issues that even the officials of the Islamic Republic have acknowledged. Transparency International reported last year that Iran ranked 130 out of 180 countries based on financial corruption. Political repression, human rights violations, economic crisis, water and environmental crises, rising crime and prisoner statistics, extensive censorship, and the imposition of other restrictions have been characteristics cited over the past four decades to indicate the failures of the Islamic Republic government. Mr. Rahimi Jahangirabadi, in another part of his remarks, referred to the economic crisis in Iran, stating: "Today, people have difficulty providing for their livelihoods and feeding their children. If we cannot address the excessive costs of domestic and foreign policy, we will incur heavy costs. Damage to our national security does not occur from enemies but happens in the streets of our cities." He added: "What is necessary at home should be consumed at home, and we should strive to find rational solutions for excessive domestic and foreign costs. We need friendship, de-escalation, and increased cooperation in the region, and we must prioritize the economy at home." According to this member of parliament, these excessive costs should be allocated to "the livelihood of the people, education, healthcare, gas supply, and rural water supply." The Islamic Republic of Iran is accused by the U.S. and other Western countries of undermining peace and stability in the region with its missile program and "destructive" influence in Middle Eastern countries. In recent years, Tehran has been a major supporter of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, spending billions of dollars on sending forces and equipping the Damascus government to fight against its domestic opponents. Washington officials have repeatedly pointed out that the Iranian government spends its revenues not on improving the livelihoods, security, and welfare of its people but rather in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, and other areas to establish a foothold in these countries.